.

Canine Hip Dysplasia And How You Can Help Fight It

By Geraldine Dimarco


Do you know what canine hip dysplasia is? Dog hip dysplasia is a condition wherein the canine thigh ball socket is not fitted right with the hip bone. It may be an inherent skeletal deformity, or it may be that the tissue connecting the ball and socket is not cohesive enough to keep it perfectly fitted together. This significantly decreases the dog's mobility as it causes extreme pain even in the simplest movements.

Sometimes hip dysplasia is caused when a puppy gets injured in his legs and did not receive the proper medical attention. Oftentimes though, it is a genetic ailment that develops as the puppy matures. When the canine is not given the appropriate treatment at the right time, sometimes he will not be able to walk at all.

Does this seem scary? It's a sad fact for some dogs but there are options to help you deal with it. Surgery is used to correct physical deformities of your pet's skeletal structure. The thing is, surgery itself might be a bit too costly; not to mention the hospital visits and maintenance. Now, don't feel bad if this is you. You can use a natural treatment for hip dysplasia that many pet owners have availed of successfully.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin are two elements that can help in restoring the damaged cartilage and joint tissues of the dog. While these natural supplements are not going to help in pain management, you will be happy to see a significant improvement in your dog's functioning after about 6 weeks of consistent use. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are generally safe but your dog will have to be on it all the time.

Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane or MSM is a compound that will enhance the connective tissues and reduce joint inflammation which is the common cause for arthritis pain. Herbs like rosemary, licorice, yucca, alfalfa and dandelion are also helpful in easing the painful effects that this condition brings.

The natural treatment for hip dysplasia as mentioned in the earlier paragraphs should be complimented with a diet rich in vitamins and fatty acids. Moreover, you must be very strict in the maintenance of their ideal weight. Being overweight will worsen his condition. Integrate this healthy diet with regular, light exercise as recommended by the veterinarian.

The exercises that you can put your dog through should be very easy on the ligaments and joints. Frisbee, for example, places too much undue stress on the joints, harming his lifestyle later on in his senior years. Try swimming, walking and slow stair walking. Remember that the objective in engaging him in physical activity is not just to develop muscle but to build a wider range of movements. The best thing you can do for your pet is to keep his ideal weight and enhance his immune system.

Hopefully, these tips on how to best handle canine hip dysplasia helps you in keeping your dogs best health today. Make him as comfortable as possible, maintain a healthy lifestyle and visit the vet regularly. Enjoy!




About the Author:



No comments :

Post a Comment